As a child, Memorial Day always included a bustling house, endless hot dogs, and, if we were especially lucky, a trip to the river for boating and tubing. This year, we are re-visiting those traditions and I could not be more excited! No matter what we do or where we go, the influx of summer food is always my favorite part of the weekend. Below you’ll find a few of my favorite early summer recipes, perfect for picnics and backyard cook-outs! Click-through the thumbnails for each recipe! And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and Facebook with pictures of whatever you make this weekend!

D R I N K S

Nothing screams of summer more than a beautifully garnished mocktail, preferably served with a festive paper straw.

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CREAMY MINT LIMEADE

Limeade will forever be a reminder of sunny afternoons spent in my grandmother’s Buick, sitting in the hundred-year-old drive-in diner, sipping on styrofoam cups filled with pebble ice and limeade in its purest, 3-ingredient form.

It was pretty magical.

FRESH MINT MILK TEA

Your iced coffee has some serious competition coming its way.

CREAMY COCONUT LIMEADE SLUSH

One of my favorite memories of Hawaii was swimming up to the tiny straw-roofed bar with my sister and being handed popping pink Shirley Temples.

This faintly-sweet watermelon kombucha slush is the perfect mocktail for summer afternoons! [ www.pedanticfoodie.com ]

Watermelon Ginger & Grapefruit Kombucha Slush

Let's whip up something pink, refreshing, and healthful for these hard-working bodies of ours.

Pineapple Arnold Palmers

I have been bouncing an idea around in my mind these days. A snapshot of summer. One's perfect equation of infinitesimal, trifling moments that can be summed up into what our minds would dub the perfect summer day.

What does that look like for you?

CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE LEMONADE

I'll admit that I was dragging my sandal-clad feet into this work week. Weekends are awfully hard things to let go of.

However, we are here nonetheless on this cool, springy Monday. And, as the adage goes, "when life gives you Mondays, make lemonade."

Okay, I took some artistic license, but it's my blog so I do what I want.

Basil Lemonade

AHHH!! This may very well be my most favorite summer drink.

Blueberry Lavender Lemonade

Happy (sort of) Monday!

We’re just edging slowly into this week with pretty drinks in hand and burgers on the grill.

Coconut Milk Horchata

Taco Tuesday just became so much more exciting.

If you have spent an considerable amount of time around this space you will know that I rarely remember the small holidays. Most often I find out that it is National Pizza Day on the day, probably after I have wondered all day long why everyone on instagram has been eating pizza. I often remember St. Patrick's Day the day before, and well, Cinco de Mayo? I'll happily join you for tacos if you invite me but I will probably realize it passed the week after.

S I D E S

Summer sides are THE BEST and you cannot go wrong with any of these!!

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GRILLED BOK CHOY WITH BASIL-LIME VINAIGRETTE

With picnics and barbecues making their way onto our calendars, this is a good time for all of us to put a little thought into our side dish recipe arsenal. Sure, you could buy store-bought pasta salad, but who really hates their friends that much?

Roasted Red Pepper Whipped Ricotta Dip

If your Easter celebrations were anything like ours, you are probably feeling the excess of Peeps and Cadbury Eggs about now.

Grilled Mexican Street Corn with Lime Butter

A couple of weeks ago Mr. Pedantic and I spent our Saturday with some super wonderful humans at the slice of heaven known as a Taco Festival. Yes, it really was as incredible as it sounds.

Classic broccoli salad gets a makeover with black cherries and a sweet bacon vinaigrette! The perfect summer side dish! [ www.pedanticfoodie.com ]

Black Cherry Broccoli Salad with Sweet Bacon Vinaigrette

I spent my weekend eating tacos, dreaming about eating tacos, and toting around the most fantastic pink flamingo pool float nine dollars can buy.

Obviously, it was very well spent. Also, obviously, I did not show a tremendous amount of attention to vegetables. Well, unless pico de gallo counts, which of course it totally does.

MACARONI & CHEESE WITH SPRING ROASTED VEGETABLES

It is my comfort food of choice. If I feel like eating a hug, which I often do after an arduous work day, nothing will satisfy like a bowl of macaroni and cheese. I am constantly experimenting with new combinations of cheeses, and I have shared a few favorites over the years. See Brie Macaroni and Cheese or Truffled Lobster Macaroni and Cheese.

Side Notes // Dining Outdoors with Cost Plus World Market

Truffle & Parmesan Oven Fries

There are so many things I am loving this summer. I am forever finding myself wishing there were more meals in the day just so I could have more opportunities to eat watermelon, bruschetta, and grilled vegetables. Truth be told, I do a bit more than wish at times. I have no problem making a few extra trips to the fridge throughout the day just so I can fully enjoy all of the wonderful summer bounty.

Baked Pimento Cheese

So. Darn. Fickle.

I don't even know what to do with myself.

The Bestest Grilled Sweet Corn with Sun-Dried Tomato Butter

S W E E T S

I will never turn my nose up to a classic, red, white and blue fruit pizza, but fried apple-cinnamon tacos are a game changer.

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Blackberry Sour Cream Cake with Lemon Curd Glaze

I’ve got three, life-altering words. Lemon. Curd. Glaze.

ROASTED PINEAPPLE SORBET

Run up to your neighborhood Aldi’s because we are turning cheap wine into something extra special.

Cinnamon Sugar Fried Apple Tacos

This might just be the best thing I have made all summer long.

If you thought white chocolate macadamia nut cookies were good, then this pie will be a dream come true! All the charms of my favorite cookie, enveloped in a rich, caramel-like custard! [ www.pedanticfoodie.com ]

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream

My wardrobe is all red, white & blue this week and I can already hear the fireworks cracking. Tomorrow is the 4th of July and I am pretty darn excited.

Rum & Hazelnut Banana Pudding Trifles

Banana pudding. She's your summer steady. She'll tag along for picnics, she'll make those overly-ornate trifle bowls you got for your wedding shine bright, and she is more than content being tonight's dessert and tomorrow's breakfast.

How to make a classic swiss meringue buttercream. [ www.pedanticfoodie.com ]

Chocolate Cupcakes with Salted Vanilla Bean Swiss Meringue Buttercream

It has been some years ago now that I tasted that unforgettable cupcake.

Watermelon Sorbet

Cherry Pie Pops

The Lazy Lady's Summer Dessert {Pedantic Foodie}

4 Years + The Lazy Lady's Summer Dessert

M A I N S

Burgers and dogs are a classic, but if you’re feeling the urge changes things up a bit here are some great alternatives!!

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SUMMER SPAGHETTI

I want to dive right into this bowl of summer!!

Sun-Dried Tomato Butter Paninis with Prosciutto, Basil & Gruyere

The weather forecast this week makes my tomato plants a little happier than it does me, but the one thing I do love about ninety-degree weather is the food that comes along with it.

Give me ALL the fresh flavors.

Blackened Chicken Sandwiches with Basil & Sun-dried Tomato Vinaigrette

My husband makes the BEST sandwiches.

GAGA'S SHRIMP SALAD

I have loved shrimp for as long as I can remember. One of my very first memories is of a vinyl, red and white checkered tablecloth, a giant pot of steamed shrimp redolent with the fragrance of Old Bay, a spray bottle of margarine, and my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents gathered around the table. Those were some very special moments.

All the flavors of a classic, seaside shrimp boil captured in this scrumptious one-dish pasta! [ www.pedanticfoodie.com ]

SHRIMP BOIL PASTA

In just under a week we will find ourselves surrounded by friends and family donned in varying shades of red, white, and blue, smoking grills, and (hopefully) piles upon piles of seafood.

Seafood and Twizzlers are my 4th of July necessities.

SKIRT STEAK WITH LEMON PISTACHIO GREMOLATA

I believe it is universally acknowledged that father's are the most difficult recipients to shop for.

Macaroni & Cheese Hot Dogs with Bacon and Panko

Sometimes you just need to eat your feelings. You get me?

Fried Green Tomato, Bacon & Pimento Cheese Grilled Sandwiches

Crab Cakes with Old Bay Hollandaise

I am not the kind of lady to drop half a paycheck on a new purse. I am not the kind of lady to get my nails done or to give into the coveted designer shoes - however much I might ogle them. But, I am the kind of lady that will spontaneously treat myself to a pound of fresh, locally caught crab at the farmer’s market for a casual Sunday afternoon feast. These are the things we do, not because we have to, but because life is so much fun with a few treats sprinkled in.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

Sincerely,

Pedantic Foodie

FRESH STRAWBERRY SCONES with BASIL BUTTER

In my head, which frequently makes up its own rules, Memorial Day weekend is the beginning of summer. No one really waits to declare the change of season until June 21st, do they?

September 22, 2021

Apple Cider Chex Mix

I love that my generation has taken a hold of snacks and made them into not only a socially-acceptable mode of daily nutrition but a hallowed one. If you're not entirely sure of the current snack pseudonyms, see; charcuterie, tapas, tastings, flights…

June 8, 2021

Eivelyn's First Fete

Welled-up hope, excitement, and tears preluded this momentous brunch which now feels so much the culmination of them all. ONE seems to signify the realness of this charmed existence as mother, daughter, family. Our Eivelyn Blair has completed us.

Dark Chocolate & Orange Sour Cream Pancakes make the most perfect spring brunch!! - www.platefete.com

March 10, 2021

Dark Chocolate-Orange Pancakes

A tale of recipe conception…

It had been a long day and all I really wanted was some quality couch time with the Bon Appetit test kitchen. Whatever plans I had in mind for dinner were soon diminished by more slothful desires for all things lazy and cozy.